To continue our colorful fudge box tradition, we need your help to decide which of Noel’s two newest Mackinac Island paintings to use for our next box.

See the details below on how to vote for your top choice.

There’s no place on earth more inspiring for artists than on idyllic Mackinac Island. With expansive Great Lakes waters, Straits of Mackinac sunrises and sunsets, a vibrant boating scene, postcard-perfect village streets, horse-drawn carriages and blooms upon blooms, garden after garden, the island is an artist’s dream come true.

Our first gift box that features a painting by Noel Skiba. It was so popular, we’re heading back to the artist’s studio for more ideas!

The popularity of our five-slice, art-adorned package that leads your eye to the hustle-bustle of the island’s painterly Mackinac Island Harbor during the annual Bell’s Bayview Mackinac Race from Port Huron has lead us back to Noel’s studio in search of yet another wonderful iconic scene.

Noel recently shared with us two paintings that venture down Main Street and over to and above Ste. Anne Church. The artist, who creates impressionistic works of the island’s cottages, gardens, street scenes and lakeside vistas, shares that these two (shown below) are a couple of her favorite works.

“It took me several months to paint these,” says Noel, who’s been an artist “since age 2!” For these two recent paintings, up and down the bluffs she’d go daily (unless there’s rain in the forecast, of course) with canvas and paints in tow to capture these scenes.

The original panoramic rooftop view is for sale, while the other has already sold (no surprise!).

“There’s some line work showing, some scraping, and lots of texture,” she explains of the panoramic painting. “It was interesting to paint these because as I started, the lilacs weren’t in bloom yet, so there wasn’t a lot of foliage, etc. blocking the roofs and buildings and I could see a lot of the structures.”

Then the lilacs bloomed and Noel sprinkled the piece with lavenders, purples, verdant greens and pinky-lilacs to convey the very essence of the island’s iconic blooms.

“In the panoramic, I tried to include all that’s Mackinac,” she adds, referring to different types of boats, lilacs, a passing freighter, a horse in a little corral and more.

Very soon, we’ll select one of the paintings for our next gift box.

The Street Scene shows a stunning view of the Ste. Anne Church’s steeple, the flower-lined street and the horse carriage, while the Rooftop Panoramic, as mentioned, treats you to not only that historic steeple, but also a breathtaking view of the harbor, dock, and more of the island … and don’t miss that freighter!

We Need Your Help

Please vote for your favorite! Let us know which painting you prefer — Rooftop Panoramic or Street Scene — and why in the comments box below. Or you can post a note about your choice on our Facebook page.

The best explanation will win free fudge at a later date!

DO YOU LIKE THIS ROOFTOP PANORAMIC … OR …

Rooftop Panoramic: The artist leads the eye along a charming rooftop vista that looks over the harbor and beyond.

… DO YOU LIKE THIS STREET SCENE?

Street Scene: Ste. Anne Church, a horse-drawn carriage and the pretty flower-lined street take center stage in this version.

VOTER’S SPECIAL: As a thank you for voting, please enjoy a 15% discount on your Original Murdick’s Fudge online order of our Sweet Summer treats. Visit our online Mackinac fudge store here and enter the code “I Voted” at checkout.

Thanks for your vote and support! We hope to see you soon on Mackinac Island.

I love the rooftop scene, it gives a better view of more of what visitors see when walking around the island and captures the feel of the island. when we visit we soak up the sounds of the lake, the sights of sun, water and the beautiful structures on the island. this view takes me back instantly. love it

I like the lake vista scene. We were on the island in 2013 and remember well the views. I think your box cover would be very well liked and would surely be representative of the wonderful atmosphere the island evokes to each visitor. It portrays the uniqueness of Mackinac Island.

I love the rooftop panoramic – as that is always one of my favorite views when on the island. We take our bikes up the hill near Mission Point and that view is almost like the reward for climbing/riding up that hill! ☺️

I think both paintings are lovely, but the rooftop scene is my favorite! I love the colors, and the view of so many things that make the Island special and dear to my heart … The church, the homes, the beautiful water, the freighter, the ferries, and of course, Mighty Mac in the background!!

The Rooftop Panoramic is my favorite. The Rooftop Panoramic shows how beautiful the island is. Everywhere you look there are so many beautiful things to taken in. The lighthouse, passing freighters, ferry boats, historical buildings, the chuch and all the lilacs. Breathtaking!

Oh so hard to choose!!! Both are wonderful views. Love the rooftop view as it gives you the “Birdseye view” of the Island and the makes you just absorb the whole feel of the life and happenings of the Island!! A breathtaking “you are there” moment:)

The street scene with the horse shows the unique quality of “no cars” on the island – what makes Mackinac Island so special. As for the snow, of course it snows in Michigan. Very lovely scene. My vote is for the essence of Mackinac Island – the street scene.

I love the street scene. We visited your beautiful island 8 years ago on our 25th Anniversary. The peaceful feeling of no vehicles & the horses everywhere were what made your island so special & unique. This painting captures that feeling.

I like the rooftop Panoramic view the best. I believe it expresses so much of what Mackinaw Island is. Looking at the picture I can imagine myself there looking out a window during a fresh, cool summer morning. I can smell and feel the lake breeze that can be seen whipping the flags and hear the water lapping and seagulls mewing over the shore. Even though I can’t see the horses, I can hear a nicker or the clop-clop of hooves in the distance as the day begins. I can see the steeple of the church and the extensive bridge in the horizon that contains a vast amount of history. I see beautiful houses that are surrounded by lush greenery and fragrant flowers and I can see ships and boats moving gently through the waters or sitting quietly in the harbor. It’s a painting that, to me, conveys sweet tranquility.

I really like the rooftop panoramic scene. It captures a beautiful part of the island that is part of many memories. It also includes the bay and lake. No view of the island is complete for me without the water. The colors are amazing just like Mackinac Island every time we visit.

The rooftop panoramic truly encapsulates all that is Mackinac Island. Lush green grass, vibrant flowers, cool blue water and distinctive architecture. A Northern Michigan favorite, just like Original Murdick’s fudge!

Rooftop panorama not only evokes all that a Mackinac Island summer includes, it also gives the receiver of the delectable Murdock’s Fudge an overwhelming taste, smell, and visual account of all things sweet summer bliss. Otherwise encapsulating Mackinac Island in a box. I will want some. Sold!

I love both of the scenes but will have to go with the rooftop since it shows the beautiful water scene and the buildings on part of this gorgeous island. This brings back some wonderful memories of our nephew’s wedding there many years ago.

I really like the street scene. It makes you right their on the street,with all the stores and horses. Brings back my memory of a week-end me and my sister stayed on the Island. We rode the horse drawn carts every where. Just loved watching the GPS cart delivering to an restaurant. Instead of my big truck that delivered to me At my Church Camp. That is one of many reasons that Mackinaw is so unique.

I like the rooftop panoramic scene. It makes me feel like I am there, taking in the whole island in one beautiful view. It makes me think of all of my favorite island memories and makes me want to visit again, soon!